'From Ground To Table' Is Owner Tyler Anderson's Philosophy

Local chefs, including organizer Russell Pryzbek, Billy Grant, Adam Greenberg, Jason Welch and Carrie Boucher, will participate, using donated ingredients to make homemade soup that will then be sold. Proceeds benefit the West Hartford Food Pantry.

The culinary award-winning Jones, who has been internationally lauded for his creativity, vision and expertise in the kitchen, left about two weeks ago, according to reports.

"I am working on something that will be exciting and new for me and the people of Connecticut," said Jones. "I expect to announce it soon."

>>The Greenwich 2012 Food+Wine Festival Presented by Serendipity will be held Oct. 4 to 6 at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park, 100 Arch St. and includes entertainment, food and wines with proceeds benefiting the Hole in the Wall Gang. Information: greenwichfoodandwine.com

>>After more than 12 years in business, Belgique Chocolatier will close its doors at both its Kent and New Canaan locations.

"We have accomplished everything we wanted to do," says owner and chef Pierre Gilissen. "When we first opened in Kent in the year 2000, some people were actually betting money that our business would fail, but it has done better than anybody ever imagined. In fact, many people have come to associate the town of Kent with the little yellow Belgian chocolate shop near the corner of routes 7 and 341. Belgique has become a destination for customers all over the area and beyond."

Gilissen has accepted a job at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington. The shops are expected to close around the end of October. Customers are encouraged to redeem gift cards as soon as possible.

>>The 7th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival will be Sept. 21 to 23. In addition to the appearance of world-renowned celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and father-daughter duo Jacques and Claudine Pépin, weekend grand tastings featuring wines from around the world, a gala celebration and a collectible wine dinner, the festival will feature daily seminars from some of the most well-known personalities in the industry. Also, Igourmet.com's Italian Cheese Road Tour will give each seminar attendee a $20 Igourmet.com gift certificate.

>>Food Network Magazine has released its "Fifty States, Fifty Sandwiches," results, a "who's who" of the best sandwiches around the nation. The Connecticut winner? The grilled cheese sandwich at New Haven's Caseus Fromagerie/Bistro. Caseus is located at 93 Whitney Ave. To see the best in other states go to: http://bit.ly/Qb9q3b

>>Bricco Trattoria will present "Bring The Farm To Wickham Park" wine dinner at the park in Manchester on Sept. 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m. The four-course, wine-paired dinner is $95 plus tax and tip. Wickham Park is located at 1329 West Middle Turnpike. Information: 860-659-0220.

Send restaurant news at least 10 days before publication to MaryEllen Fillo at fillo@courant.com, 860-241-3717 (phone), 860-520-6927 (fax) or in care of The Courant, 285 Broad St., Hartford, CT 06115.